Risk of droughts and rising sea levels as Auckland temperatures set to rise over next 100 years - report

A report released by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) today warns that average temperatures in the Auckland region will continue to climb over the next 100 years.

The report states that if global emissions continue on the current path the number of days with temperatures over 25 degrees could quadruple with average temperatures increasing by up to 3.75 degrees by 2110.

Alarmingly the report also says this will lead to an increased risk of drought, extreme rainfall and rising sea levels.

NIWA warns that increasing ocean temperatures are leading to a decrease in ocean PH levels, meaning the waters are turning more acidic.

The climate projections were commissioned by the Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, Watercare and Panuku Development Auckland in a bid to increase the understanding of risks, vulnerabilities and opportunities in the Auckland region.

"Better information about how Auckland’s climate is changing will help Auckland make more effective decisions about our future," Auckland Council's Chief Sustainability Officer John Mauro said.

"This means building improved resilience with every decision we make, like how we provide community services, when and where we develop our infrastructure, and how and when we make investments to generate better value for Aucklanders."

The report comes as the Government announced today that it's closely monitoring the recent dry weather across the country and how it could affect farmers and growers.

Minister of Agriculture Damien O'Connor said in a statement: "Farmers and growers in many of our regions are experiencing lower than normal soil moisture levels for this time of year.

"Local knowledge is essential, and our Ministry of Primary Industry (MPI) analysts in each area work with their local farmers and groups to keep an eye on how climate conditions around the country are affecting rural communities. "

NIWA meteorologist Chris Brandolino says below normal rainfall is expected for most of New Zealand for at least the next 10 days with perhaps only localised exceptions.

Former United Future leader Peter Dunne used his outgoing valedictory speech at Victoria University to promote the notion of New Zealand cutting the "umbilical cord to Grandmother England" and become an independent republic.

"My children and grandchildren are likely to have the opportunity of living in the world's best multi-ethnic, multi cultural nation... and where that unique blend and tolerance is what marks out our country," Mr Dunne said.

"Frankly the time for change is long overdue."

"We should be an independent republic within the Commonwealth - like India, or South Africa and the majority of other Commonwealth nations.

"We can do so much better than continue to bend our knee to a hereditary monarch on the other side of the world," he said.

Mr Dunne said there was no reason why there shouldn't be a non-executive President in the Governor-General role.

He also touched on his distaste for "showman politics, where style outweighs substance, and where an almost child-like narcissistic obsession with being the centre of attention dominates".

"Being reasonable, and seeing both sides of the argument, while desirable in life, is the scourge of the liberal centrist in politics, especially at a time when the politics of reason are giving way across the world to short-term, knee-jerk, populist reactions and political charlatans proffering simplistic and fundamentally dishonest solutions."

Mr Dunne spoke of his party United Future being "frequently dismissed" and he was "derided for my liking of bow ties, and my luxuriant natural head of hair, as if either somehow mattered".

"The latter criticism is easy to deal with - it came in the main from bald headed men, with no sense of style and absolutely no understanding of politics."

He concluded this speech by advice to the millennial MPs "whom will shape our future for the next generation and beyond".

"Seize the moment now, and begin the process of wider constitutional reform by committing to our next Head of State being the first President of the Republic of New Zealand."

He also used his valedictory speech to show his distaste for "showman politics".
Source: 1 NEWS